Thursday, September 5, 2002
Page 3
Preston Gates Lawyers Make Move to Piper Rudnick
By a MetNews Staff Writer
Six attorneys from the downtown Los Angeles offices of Preston Gates & Ellis have joined the Century City firm of Piper Rudnick.
Jane Barrett, Katherine Marelich and Audra Mori came to Piper as partners Aug. 31, bringing with them associates Jennifer Chiarelli, Angela Dotson and Colin Holley, plus support staff and longstanding clients such as Southwest Airlines.
“I think what motivated our move was more opportunity at a firm like Piper, who are outstanding in their area,” Barrett said.
She said she’s also enjoying the more personal aspects of the move.
“It’s a great group of lawyers at Piper, particularly a great group of women lawyers that one can make friends with,” she said. “After 30 years of working there, I love downtown Los Angeles, but I find Century City to be a good change.”
Francis B. Burch Jr., co-chair of Piper Rudnick, said in a statement that his firm plans to add 75 to 100 lawyers to its Los Angeles office in the next couple of years, focusing on those with expertise in corporate law areas such as intellectual property, real estate, litigation and bankruptcy.
“This group is interested in moving to Piper Rudnick because of our national litigation platform, particularly in the intellectual property and labor areas,” Jeffrey A. Rosenfeld, managing partner of the firm’s Los Angeles office, said. “Jane and her team add tremendous depth to our existing capabilities along with a stellar client roster.”
All three of the new partners at Piper Rudnick have experience in copyright, trademark and intellectual property law, working with Microsoft, among others, on anti-piracy litigation.
Barrett was the first female member of the American Bar Association’s Board of Governors and has been active in state and national bar associations.
Copyright 2002, Metropolitan News Company